The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Agency trains 60 LASU officials

    Agency trains 60 LASU officials

    Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) yesterday trained 60 officials of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, in safety at the workplace.

    The one-day training at the university’s main campus in Ojo, has as its theme: ‘Training and Injection of Safety, Health and Fire Marshals on Lagos State University Campuses’.

    Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adenike Boyo, said the training was aimed at ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.

    “This training is our demonstration to provide and maintain safe, secure and conducive workplace. It also shows our commitment to implement recommendations in the safety audit report on the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building. 

    Registrar, Emmanuel Fanu, said participants were selected from departments and divisions so they could train others.

    LSSC Director General, Lanre Mojola, took participants through causes of accidents and hazards, ways to identify them and how to avoid them.

    He decorated some participants as safety ambassadors and enjoined them to lead advocacy on zero accidents and zero hazards.

  • ‘Suspend ICTN implementation’, firm tells Buhari

    ‘Suspend ICTN implementation’, firm tells Buhari

    A firm, Rozi International, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) scheme following an order by Abuja Federal High Court.

    The appeal was made in a May 15 letter by its lawyers, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Magaji Mahmud.

    It was written through Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    They said the case: FHC/ABJ/CS/2289/2022,is  between Rozi, Ttransport minister and 10 others. 

    Defendants are AGF; Nigeria Shippers’ Council; BPP; ICRC; Winslow Logistic; Equal logistics; Velocity Logistics and Marine Services; Sahams Crystal Investment and Antaser Nigeria Limited.

    The attorneys noted the implementation would negatively impact the project and economy.

    Read Also : UPDATED: Buhari seeks Senate’s approval to pay $556m, £98.5m, N226bn judgement debts

    They said despite huge  investments on the project, the first to fourth defendants decided to seek approval of the sixth to 10th defendants, with the President’s approval to their client still existing.

    The lawyers argued that taking the project from Rozi to other parties, was breached orders of Federal High Court against the defendants. 

    They noted upon getting the approvals, their client “incurred tremendous costs towards actualisation” of the scheme with stakeholders, carrying out due diligence on the firm’s facility in Italy on December 3, 2021. 

    The attorneys said their client, with 30 years experience in service delivery , sought and obtained approvals and a “No Objection” from first to fourth defendants and the President‘s to begin the scheme. 

    The duo said despite the pendency of the suit and injunctive orders, the subject of the dispute was presented at Federal Executive Council meeting on February 15, for the purpose of taking the approval granted to Rozi and transferring it to the sixth to 10th defendants for a duration of 15 years.   

    The lawyers stated: “This necessitated the commencement of the captioned suit vide a writ of summons and statement of claim filed on December 13, 2022, seeking declarative and injunctive reliefs pertaining to the International Cargo Tracking Note Scheme and procurement of companies thereto.

    “Concurrent with the filing of the writ of summons and statement of claim, our client also filed a motion ex-parte on December 13, 2022, seeking order of interim injunction against all defendants in the suit and for the maintenance of status quo pending hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

    They added: “Having said all this, and appreciating the fact that Mr. President believes in due process, may we, on behalf of our client, and on its instruction, respectfully enjoin Mr. President to direct a stay of all actions and steps on this very critical and fundamental subject, bearing in mind the far-reaching effects which its implementation, as being presently projected, would ultimately have on the project itself, as well as the overall economy.     

    “Most humbly as well, Mr. President, it would be unfair, unjust and inequitable to go ahead with the implementation of this project without the involvement of our client, who substantially pioneered it, and in whose favour, Mr. President gave approval as far back as August 19, 2021.   

    “It is our client’s belief and conviction that Mr. President believes in and subscribes to fairness and fair play. Thus, our client further enjoins Mr. President to urgently look into this matter, as well as give necessary directives on this letter, which is a passionate appeal to Mr. President to ‘save the soul’ of our client and preserve its huge investment in the project.”

  • Foundation to upgrade 40 PHCs with N1b

    Foundation to upgrade 40 PHCs with N1b

    MTN Foundation has said it will upgrade 40 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) with N1 billion.

    With the project,  ‘What We Can Do Together Initiative’, the public is to nominate PHCs in need of upgrade.

    The nomination, through SMS and on the web, closes on June 17, with the public advised to text MTN to 421.

    Projects are community-based, implemented since September 2015 in 586 communities in 530 local governments  under four phases.

    Executive Secretary, Mrs Odunayo Sanya,  said the foundation requires communities to identify projects they need because corporate bodies have sometimes built projects with little or no impact on the people.

    Unveiling the project in Lagos, Mrs Sanya said there were 30,000 PHCs in Nigeria, adding less than 25 per cent of them were functioning.

    Foundation Director, Dennis Okoro, said this initiative is a way of investing and improving lives.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Tinuola Akinbolagbe, hailed MTN Foundation for improving health of Nigerians

    For  this phase, the foundation is partnering PSHAN and Cece Yara Foundation.

    Adetutu Ajibodu, chief executive officer of Cece Yara, who has engaged families at the community level, said there is no success without engagement of the community.

  • Sanwo-Olu opens four jetties in riverine communities

    Sanwo-Olu opens four jetties in riverine communities

    • By Oyebola Owolabi and Ganiyat Mumuni

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday inaugurated four newly upgraded jetties.

    The inauguration held simultaneously in Badagry Central Local Government and Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, Adebayo Sodade, said the upgraded jetties with waiting shelter and shoreline would serve residents of Ijegun-Egba and its environs.

    He said: “The Ijegun-Egba Concrete Terminal Jetty is an essential addition to the state’s intermodal and integrated transportation system. It was built to facilitate water transportation, attract private sector investments and reduce traffic congestion. The governor assures Lagosians of the government’s commitment to complete ongoing jetties and enforce safety regulations, to ensure safe travel on the waterways.”

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Patunola-Olayinka Ajayi, emphasised the significance of the jetties in achieving a multi-modal transport system, even as she predicted that increased availability would help reduce cost for commuters.

    Chairman of Oriade LCDA Mrs. Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his efforts in improving transportation infrastructure in the state.

    She hoped for additional projects such as a staff boat to facilitate the movement of local government employees.

    She said: “My appreciation to the Lagos State government for the efforts and good job done in Oriade LCDA. Residents of the riverine areas have been enjoying the jetty system.

    “There is ongoing construction on Mumuni Adio Road, Alakija Road, Old Ojo Road, but we want more. We need to also have a jetty in Abule Osun, and I will be glad if Mr. Governor can provide a big boat for staff-members of Oriade LCDA for easy movement, especially to office.”

    The Asoju Oba of Ibeshe and apex leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oriade LCDA, Chief Richard Wusu, thanked the government for its investments in riverine communities.

    He highlighted the positive impact of the newly inaugurated jetties, particularly in facilitating connectivity for residents, access to markets and transportation for school children.

    “The inauguration of multiple jetties reflects the government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure, enhancing water transportation and reducing travel time for residents. As the government continues to prioritise transportation projects, it is expected that these efforts will contribute to a more efficient and interconnected Lagos State,” he added.

  • Interpret laws to safeguard consumer interest, CJN tells judges

    Interpret laws to safeguard consumer interest, CJN tells judges

    • Emefiele: fair legal system will attract foreign investment

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has called on judicial officers to interpret and apply laws that will encourage financial inclusion and safeguard consumer interests.

    Justice Ariwoola spoke at the opening of the 2023 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Capacity Building Workshop on Banking and Financial Services Sector for Judicial Officers.

    In his address, the CJN urged judicial officers to strike a ‘balance by interpreting and applying the law to encourage financial inclusion while safeguarding consumer interests’.

    One particular area of concern to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) ‘is the regulation of ‘Payment Service Banks’ (PSBs), which necessitates a delicate balance between fostering innovation and ensuring consumer protection. He worried that digital banking products and services has given rise to new legal issues that must be effectively addressed by the courts.

    Read Also : CBN chief:Nigeria has one of the most advanced payment systems

    He said: “Digital banking products and services have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, revolutionising how we manage our finances, ranging from mobile banking apps to e-wallets. Digital banking products and services now offer limitless access to financial services, thereby promoting financial inclusion and empowering individuals to conveniently carry out financial transactions.

    “This rapid expansion has given rise to new legal issues that must be effectively addressed by the courts.”

    “Given the escalating frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, it is crucial to establish a robust legal framework that safeguards the integrity of digital transactions and safeguards individuals against financial fraud.

    “As judicial officers, you play a critical role in adjudicating disputes stemming from such breaches and ensuring that justice is duly served.”

    Governor of the CBN Godwin Emefiele noted that ‘the importance of the judiciary to the economy is underscored by the fact that an efficient judicial system helps to strengthen confidence in our economy, which is required to attract domestic and foreign direct investment’.

    Emefiele argued that ‘investors are more willing to invest in jurisdictions where the rule of law takes prominence in shaping business and investment decisions’.

    He added: “The judiciary helps to ensure that all parties adhere to legal and ethical standards, and individuals and businesses can seek relief through the law courts on violations of agreements. They can also be sure that disputes will be treated swiftly and fairly in accordance with the prevailing laws.

    “The presence of a fair and just legal system will help in attracting much needed foreign investments. Such investments will help to reduce pressure on our foreign reserves, enhance monetary and price stability, and reduce exchange rate volatility.”

  • Ortom: Tinubu will do better

    Ortom: Tinubu will do better

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has called on Nigerians to support the incoming administration of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Ortom, who spoke on a television show, lamented the security breaches in his state. He was however hopeful that Tinubu’s government would do better in curtailing them.

    The governor insisted the situation could have been averted if President Muhammadu Buhari had listened to him, but said he has forgiven Buhari for unprovoked killings across the country, particularly in Benue.

    According to him, the country has not had it so good as far as security was concerned under Buhari, but he believes Tinubu’s government will do better.

    He said: “We hope the incoming administration will provide succor, help, security for our people, economic development, and peace for our people. We have suffered for eight years. And what we can do is for all of us to support the incoming government.

    Read Also : Why we supported Tinubu

    “And by the grace of God, we shall move from the bottom which the current administration has plunged the nation into to the top. I hope the incoming administration will look at the issues dispassionately because, we as citizens, don’t deserve what we got under Buhari’s administration.

    “Yes, Buhari might have achieved milestones in some areas, but in security and economic development, this present government has not done well.”

    Asked whether he has the intention to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ortom said he would do everything possible to ensure equity, fairness and justice.

    “I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but for the interest of this country, equity, fairness and justice for all Nigerians. Once Tinubu is sworn as president, I will continue to support, work and pray for him to succeed.”

  • Buhari swears-in seven RMAFC Federal Commissioners

    Buhari swears-in seven RMAFC Federal Commissioners

    • Receives Health Reform Committee report  

    President Muhammed Buhari yesterday swore in seven Federal Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). 

    The swearing in, which held briefly before the Valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was immediately followed up by the presentation of the Health Reform Committee Report by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The new Federal Commissioners are Peter Okpara (Imo); Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu); Kolade Abimbola (Oyo); Rekiya Ayuba-Haruna (Kebbi); Hauwa Aliyu (Jigawa); Ismaila Agaka (Kwara); and Ayuba Ngako (FCT).

    Read Also : Buhari has  laid  foundation for industrialisation, says minister

    Osingbanjo, while presenting report of the Health Reform Committee to President Buhari, restated that the committee was established to develop a roadmap for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country. 

    One of the key recommendations it made was for improvement of funding for the health sector with above ten per cent.

  • Court dismisses Police’ bid to arraign Seun Kuti

    Court dismisses Police’ bid to arraign Seun Kuti

    • Case adjourned for DPP

    A Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, Yaba, yesterday dismissed an application by the Nigeria Police seeking to arraign Afrobeats singer, Seun Kuti, over an alleged assault of an Inspector.

    Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun rejected the application of the police and adjourned the hearing till July 3 to await legal advice on the matter from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Kuti was in court yesterday following his release from police custody on bail, Tuesday night. He had been in detention at the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Panti, since May 15.

    At the resumed hearing, police prosecutor, Cyril Ejiofor, sought the leave of court to arraign the singer, having preferred a charge against him.

    But counsel to the defendant, Femi Falana (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application, accusing the police of disobeying subsisting orders of court.

    “We have a serious objection to the proposed arraignment on two solid legal grounds.

    According to him, “the defendant is entitled to at least 48 hours’ notice within which to answer to the charge, by virtue of section 82 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos.

    “We came here this morning only for the police to say a charge has being filed and most importantly, this charge is contemptuous of the valid and subsisting court order of May 16, that upon the completion of investigation, the prosecution of the case is to be transferred to the state government, as police can’t investigate and prosecute the case.

    “But, the police in total defiance ignored the order of the court. Also, on the 18th May, the court adjourned the case to May 23 for DPP’s advice.”

    Falana argued that until the orders of the court were complied with by the Inspector General of Police (IG), this court cannot entertain the charge from the police.

    He said the police owed the court a duty to disclose why they had overruled the court on the prosecution of the case.

    He noted that there was no appeal against the court’s order and urged the court to disregard the application of the police, describing it as an attempt to treat the court with provocative contempt.

    Falana recalled: “Last week, the same court had delivered two rulings ordering the police to duplicate the case file and forward it to the Office of the DPP at the Lagos Ministry of Justice for advice on whether to prosecute the case.

    “The court also said the police cannot investigate and prosecute the matter, to avoid the perception of bias.”

    Responding, Cyril, the police counsel, urged the court to dismiss the objection saying that section 23 of the Police Act, 2020, empowers them to prosecute cases, and that the Nigeria police cannot wait for the state government, having already sent the case file to them.

    “We also rely on last week’s rulings of this Court. We have complied with and duplicated this file to the office of the DPP. It is left for them to do their job. We cannot wait for them. We are empowered by law to prosecute all the way to the Supreme Court.

    “Under Section 23 of the Police Act, we have ultimate powers to prosecute which aren’t in conflict with sections 174 and 211 of the Nigerian Constitution, which gives the AG powers to take over any case.”

    Cyril argued that the orders of last week have been vacated, and the police cannot rely on them as they have no life.

    “Nothing shall apply as a stay of proceedings, not even a pending DPP’s advice. It is unlawful for SIlk to address the court when a plea hasn’t been taken. We urge the court to order the defendant to take his plea,” he insisted.

    In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun, in line with previous orders of the court, insisted on awaiting the DPP’s advice, before proceeding with the case.

    According to the investigating police officer, Lekan Ogundare, Seun Kuti committed the offence on May 13 on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The defendant was said to have driven dangerously on the bridge and deliberately blocked a moving police vehicle.

    He was alleged to have grabbed one Inspector Mohammed Aminu attached to the Police Training College, Ikeja, who was on official movement and in police uniform. The police also said the defendant slapped the officer several times on his face.

  • Southwest NURTW passes ‘vote of no confidence’ in president

    Southwest NURTW passes ‘vote of no confidence’ in president

    • Osun govt urges CP to stop zonal election

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the Southwest has decried the “maladministration” of its National President, Tajudeen Baruwa that led to the suspension of the activities of the union in five of the six states in the zone.

    Leaders of the union in Southwest yesterday converged on the Southwest zonal secretariat in Osogbo to pass ‘a vote of no confidence’ in Baruwa.

    They, however, endorsed a former Lagos State Council Chairman, Tajudeen Agbede, as the sole candidate for the congress of the union in July.

    The group described as “illegal”, plans by Baruwa to hold Zonal Conference this week, saying the matter is in court.

    According to them, efforts made by leaders to ensure he (Baruwa) ran the union in line with the constitution failed.

    Supporting Agbede as his successor, the union’s founding members said the continued stay in office of Baruwa would further damage the union.

    Speaking with reporters, Elder Samuel Jonah said the Southwest NURTW made a mistake in nominating Baruwa as “our representative from the zone to the position of president of our great union. It was the turn of the Southwest to produce the presidential candidate, and we made the mistake of supporting him then. But four years down the line, Baruwa has destroyed the union by imposing his own candidate against the wish of the majority and running the union with impurity.

    “It is unfortunate that he (Baruwa) has been trying to manipulate some disgruntled elements to endorse him for second term. We, the major stakeholders from the Southwest, are saying ‘enough is enough’. We cannot tolerate his poor leadership style. He should not be allowed to continue to wreak more havoc on our union. We have all agreed to withdraw our support for him. He is no longer representing our zone. Baruwa was a mistake we made four years ago and we’re correcting ourselves now.”

    Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, has written to the Commissioner of Police to prevent the zonal election organised by a faction of the union.

    He said the court had not given the final verdict on the pending litigation and this might cause havoc and crisis by other members of NURTW in the state.

    “Since the case has been in court, there is non-existence of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo states. The elected officials have been suspended/dissolved till the issues are addressed by the court.

    “In view of the above, kindly use your good office to provide adequate security in the state, to prevent election from being conducted by some factions of NURTW that may cause breakdown of law, peace and order in the state,” he said.

  • NCC raises alarm over increase in electronic fraud

    NCC raises alarm over increase in electronic fraud

    • Woman, three others remanded over ATM card swapping, fraud

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has described as alarming the rise of electronic frauds in the country, warning citizens against falling prey to the activities of fraudsters.

    Sounding the warnings at a Consumer Protection and Advocacy Programme held at Kofar Goriya, Keffi, Nasarawa State, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Danbatta, said stakeholders such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, the NCC and relevant security agencies were working assiduously to check the menace.

    Danbatta warned citizens to avoid opening suspicious email messages, or respond to unfamiliar enquiries online, asserting that Information from the CBN indicated that e-fraud in Nigeria remained the biggest risk at the moment.

    He said electronic fraudsters are now targeting telecoms networks to disrupt service delivery and infiltrate their data bank SIM swaps and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, USSD, to carry out nefarious activities.

    Danbatta was represented at the event by the Head of Consumer Protection and Advocacy Unit, Clement Omife. The Advocacy programme had the theme: “Shine your eye, don’t fall mugu”.

    Danbatta said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Nigeria Police Force and the CBN have upscaled their mandate in collaboration with the NCC to fight electronic frauds.

    He said:” As the telecom industry evolves, there is a growing concern over the rising trend of fraud on telecom (electronic fraud) across sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    “The menace which follows wide acceptance of new methods of mobile money and electronic banking and payment systems has been discovered to cost the country whopping sums of money.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates electronic fraud as the biggest risk in the sector which has widely incorporated electronic payment solutions such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBS) Instant Payment and mobile banking.”

    Meanwhile, an Enugu Magistrate Court yesterday remanded four persons in the custodial facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), for allegedly swapping people’s ATM cards and using the same to defraud them.

    Those arraigned included a mother of four, Chika Nwoko aged 29, Michael Sopuruchi, 36, Osinachi Godwin, 18 and Moses Ani, 29.

    They were all arrested while escaping to their hideout behind Emenite, Emene, Enugu by operatives of the Hawk Tactical Squad, Enugu State Police Command, together with troops of the Nigerian Air Force Enugu, on May 6.

    The suspects were arraigned on Tuesday and the Magistrate ordered that they be remanded in the Enugu Custodial Centre and ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Attorney General for legal advice, through the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Enugu State. The case was adjourned till June 7.

    According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspects’ arrest came after they fraudulently stole the ATM card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) of an unsuspecting 63 year-old man, while pretending to assist him withdraw money from a commercial Bank’s ATM along Ogui Road.

    “Immediately after the switch, the suspects used the Card and PIN to withdraw N495,000 from the victim’s account.

    “The suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they have carried out many other criminal acts of ATM Cards swapping and fraud within Enugu metropolis, while four different banks’ ATM cards, including that of the victim, were recovered from them,” the police said.